HELP..SMITH AND WESSON M36 OR M50.?

[myhardtop]

I have run into a Smith advertised as a Model 36. This particular one is satin nickel and has adjustable rear sights. Tried to find out what this was and found out they did produce this revolver. It was a Model 36 which they called a Model 50 because of the adjustable sights and the finish which was produced from 1955 to 1975. Is this a legitamate manufactured Smith? Owner does not know any more than it is a Model 36. Can anyone help with additional information about this model? Thanks...........

 

[k22fan]

The model 50 was an adjustable sighted blued square butt 2" J frame .22. Model 50s are rare or at least scarce. The only model 36s with adjustable sights that come to mind are the 3" full lug guns. Someone more familiar with odd ball runs of 36s might weigh in here or you could go through the model 36 section of the SCSW.

I hope this helps a little.

Gil

 

[myhardtop]

Model 36 or Model 50

The model 50 was an adjustable sighted blued square butt 2" J frame .22. Model 50s are rare or at least scarce. The only model 36s with adjustable sights that come to mind are the 3" full lug guns. Someone more familiar with odd ball runs of 36s might weigh in here or you could go through the model 36 section of the SCSW.

I hope this helps a little.

Gil

K22fan........ Thanks for the help. This is a 38 caliber, square butt and again with a nickel finish. Could be the blue has been removed. It is also a 2 inch barrel. Owner says it says it is a straight 36 without dash. Got me going!!

 

[red9]

Before the model numbers were introduced in 1957, a small numer of Chief Special 2" targets were made. When the Chief became the model 36, a few limited runs of targets were made. Finally the target model was given it's own dsignation, the model 50. All three variations are relatively scarce, and I have never seen a factory example of any of them in nickel.
Serial number would help, but be very careful.

Bob Hart #946

 

[old bear]

Several years back I remember seeing several pictures of what was referred to as a Chiefs Special target model. From the pictures these appeared to be a round butt with the normal ramp front sight and adjustable rear sights, and the ones I saw were blue steel. As I remember the price at the time was about twice that of a standard M-36. Hope this helps.

 

[myhardtop]

Model 36 or 50

Before the model numbers were introduced in 1957, a small numer of Chief Special 2" targets were made. When the Chief became the model 36, a few limited runs of targets were made. Finally the target model was given it's own dsignation, the model 50. All three variations are relatively scarce, and I have never seen a factory example of any of them in nickel.
Serial number would help, but be very careful.

Bob Hart #946

Again all of your help is appreciated. I can't get the serial number until tomorrow. What serial number range would make it legitimate? If I stated nickel finish, I meant it was satin nickel.

 

[myhardtop]

Model 36

Several years back I remember seeing several pictures of what was referred to as a Chiefs Special target model. From the pictures these appeared to be a round butt with the normal ramp front sight and adjustable rear sights, and the ones I saw were blue steel. As I remember the price at the time was about twice that of a standard M-36. Hope this helps.

Thanks old bear. This is beginning to possibly make sense. This is a square butt with the normal ramp front with adjustable rear sights. This could have been a blue at one time and now a satin finish. Could be worth picking up and getting it put back to its normal finish if needed. This is a 38 caliber which makes sense for a snub target revolver.

 

[k22fan]

The model 50 was an adjustable sighted blued square butt 2" J frame .22.

Whoops, I should have remembered a 50 was .38 special. I sort of made one once using small files instead of a milling machine to install a rear sight and create a front sight that I pinned on a 36's front sight. I would have quit half the way through except that the options were to finish or throw out the 36. I wish I'd kept it just because I'll never do that again.

Gil

 

[BUFF]

Roy Jinks book, "The History of Smith & Wesson," discusses these. The first ones were made in 1955, before model numbers and were called "Chiefs Special Targets." 144 of them made in 2 batches.

In 1959, more were made and were stamped Model 36. There were 6 batches made between 1959 and 1966, totalling 1,429 guns.

In 1973 and 1975, 2 more batches were made and were stamped Model 50. A total of 781 were made. There were 202 of the 1975 batch made with 3 inch barrels; the others were 2 inch guns.

Most of them were square butt guns but some were round butt. Some were nickel but most were blue.

These guns all have a very tall front sight blade, especially the 2 inch guns. They look a bit odd.

The nickel finish was S&W's normal, bright polished nickel, not satin.

I have a Model 50. It's a 2 inch square butt gun with blue finish.

Pretty neat guns.

 

[red9]

Model 36/50

Per SCSW, the Chief Special targets were numbered in the 55,000-58,000 range. 198 model 36 targets were made Between #149811 and 150133, 1006 betwen #391773 and 392778, and 213 between 2J3134 and 2J3347. The model 50's were numbered between 930J45 and 936J19.

Upper gun is a Chief Special, lower is a model 50.

Bob

 

[JSR III]

Like anything S&W, the company would do just about anything to a gun that made sense and made them money. Making up a brushed nickel or satin nickel gun would not have been out of the question. IMHO. The best thing to do is get the serial number and then call customer service to see if they can confirm how the gun shipped. If they can't help you, ask to speak to the company historian or join the SWCA and you can ask him directly.

 

[myhardtop]

Thanks to All

Well this M-36 is just that. Someone removed the Blueing and left it all metal. The rear sights were added and the tell tale signs are that it does not have the tall front sight and the latch release for the cylinder still had specks of blue in it. The front sight is standard size. Thanks to all that helped. Someone did say "Be careful". Famous last words.